cylinder English · revision 10631

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1570|origins=la cylindrus|origins=grc κύλινδρος}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈsɪl.ɪn.də/, US /ˈsɪl.ɪn.dɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|cylindrus|t=roller, cylinder]], probably through Middle French cylindre,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from Greek [[m|grc|κύλινδρος|tr=kúlindros|t=roller, roll]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from kulíndein, to roll, of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A geometrical solid with equal, parallel circular ends: 1570, in Billingsley's translation of Euclid.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Etymonline also records Middle English chilindre, a cylinder-shaped portable sundial, in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Any cylindrical object is from 1641.^(OED 1989) The chamber of a steam engine in which steam drives the piston is from the 1690s,^(Etymonline) hence the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) A container for compressed gas is from 1791,^(OED 1989) the chamber of a revolver by 1849,^(Etymonline) and a phonograph record by 1878.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Cylindrical'' is from 1646.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 14th century – chilindre, a sundial.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1570 – the geometrical solid.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1646 – cylindrical.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1690s – a steam-engine cylinder.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1849 – a revolver's cylinder.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1878 – a phonograph cylinder.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A solid or surface with two parallel circular ends joined by a curved surface.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A chamber in an [[engine]] in which a [[piston]] moves.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A cylindrical container, especially for gas under pressure.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The rotating part of a [[revolver]] that holds the cartridges.^(Etymonline)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cylindered]]

+ * [[cylinderlike]]

+ * [[cylindrical]]

+ * [[cylindraceous]]

+ * [[multicylinder]]

+ * [[semicylinder]]

+ * [[cylinder head]]

+ * [[cylinder glass]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[calender]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}